Multi-function module incorporating flash memory and enhanced I/O interface that can translate data from one format into another format for subsequent transmission to an external device

ABSTRACT

A module incorporating a flash memory and a flash memory controller. The flash memory controller receives data via a first interface which can be a PCMCIA type interface. The data is then stored in the flash memory. The controller is adapted to be able to selectively recall the data from the flash memory and transmit the data to one or more recipient devices via the PCMCIA type interface or by an alternate interface. The module incorporates a user input device that, when manipulated by the user, induces the controller to send the data via the alternate interface. In one embodiment, the alternate interface is comprised of a GSM interface which allows data stored in the flash memory to be transmitted via a cellular telephone to a pre-selected telephone number by the user manipulating the user input device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/063,513, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,788, filed Apr. 21, 1998, whichclaimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/045,105 filedApr. 25, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a module incorporating a memory and amicroprocessor wherein the module has enhanced input-output capabilityand, more particularly, concerns a module incorporating an ATA flashmemory and an ATA flash memory controller wherein the controller isconfigurable to have enhanced I/O capabilities so that the flash memorymodule can download stored data more readily.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the advent of small microprocessors and memory devices, many smallelectronic devices are now incorporating memories that store data thatis captured by the device. These types of electronic devices includecameras, personal data assistants (PDA's), surveying equipment andelectronic automotive equipment. One advantage of having a memory thatcan store data that is captured by the device is that the information inthe memory can be downloaded to a computer at a subsequent time. Forexample, in a camera that incorporates a memory, the image captured bythe camera can be stored in the memory and then downloaded directly intoa computer. In applications such as creating a newspaper or magazinearticle, the ability to transfer photographs directly from a camera intoa computer greatly facilitates the inclusion of photographs into thenewspaper or magazine article.

Presently, the typical type of memory that is used in the smallelectronic devices is known as a flash memory. A flash memory is areadable/writable device where data can be written to the memory andthen recalled and provided to an output interface. Flash memoriesgenerally incorporate a microprocessor that acts as a flash memorycontroller. The flash memory controller is configured to store theinformation that is received in memory locations and then recall thestored data when the flash memory is outputting stored data to anexternal source. The flash controller also performs functions such asascertaining which sections of the flash memory are bad and bypassingthese sections during read and write cycles. Typically, modulesincorporating the flash memories and the controller are built to beconnected to the electronic device through a well-known connectioninterface, such as a PCMCIA slot.

While the existence of flash memories has greatly expanded theversatility of some small electronic devices, flash memories aregenerally limited to outputting stored data through a singleinput-output interface. Specifically, the electronic devicesincorporating flash memories that are currently available are only ableto download data to external sources through an ATA flash interface.Hence, the external source that receives the stored data from the flashmemory in the electronic device, e.g., a personal computer, has to havean interface that is configured to receive the data from the memory.

For example, a camera that incorporates a flash memory can generallyonly be interfaced with a personal computer that has an I/O port that isspecifically configured to receive the flash memory data via the flashmemory's ATA flash interface. Understandably, this reduces theflexibility of using electronic devices incorporating flash memories asthese devices must effectively be tied to an external source that isspecifically configured to receive flash memory data.

However, it will be appreciated that in some circumstances it may bedesirable to be able to receive data that is stored within a flashmemory through an interface other than a standard ATA flash memoryinterface. For example, in some circumstances it would be advantageousfor cameras that incorporate ATA flash memories to be able to downloadinformation to a remotely located computer via a telephone modem. Stillfurther, if the camera could download data to a remotely locatedcomputer terminal over a cellular telephone, photos could be transmitteddirectly to the publisher from the photo location. Presently, to be ableto achieve these results would require that the telephone modem orcellular phone be specifically configured to receive the flash memorydata and, consequently, have a flash memory interface. It will beunderstood, of course, that not all modems and telephones have such aninterface and that adding this particular interface to these deviceswould not generally be justified from a cost standpoint.

Hence, there is a need for a flash memory module which incorporates I/Ocapabilities in addition to the standard flash memory I/O interface.Preferably, this module would be constructed at a cost comparable toexisting flash memory modules and would incorporate alternative I/Ocapabilities in a manner that would allow for simple transmission ofdata stored in the flash memory via the alternative I/O interface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the flash memory module of thepresent invention which is comprised of one or more flash memories, amicroprocessor which receives data to be stored in the flash memoriesfrom a flash memory I/O port, and an alternative interface wherein themicroprocessor is configured to enable the alternative interface andtransmit data from the flash memory via the alternative interface inresponse to an external command. Consequently, the memory module of thepresent invention is capable of receiving data to be stored in a flashmemory and then exporting the data from the flash memory via at leasttwo or more different interfaces.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the memory module has aPCMCIA interface that is capable of receiving not only flash memorydata, but is also capable of receiving configuration commands from acomputer. The configuration commands can be used to configure thealternative interface so that the alternative interface is capable ofdownloading data from the flash memory to an external source.

In one specific example, the preferred embodiment includes a UART and aninterface that is suitable for transmitting the data from the flashmemory to a cellular telephone modem in response to a single externalcommand whereby the data is transmitted to an external destinationsource such as a personal computer. The configuration commands for thealternate interface, in this instance, would include a GSM interface andthe telephone number that the cellular telephone modem is to dial.Hence, data that is stored within the flash memory can be transmittedvia a modem to a remote location by the delivery of a single externalcommand to the memory module.

It will be appreciated that, if the module of the preferred embodimentis used in a camera, an image that is stored within the flash memory canbe transmitted via a cellular phone by the manipulation of a button onthe camera which would provide the external command to the memory moduleto output the data via the alternate interface to the cellular phone.The cellular phone would also receive the appropriate GSM interface andthe telephone number to dial from the microprocessor as this informationhad previously been stored within the memory module.

It will be appreciated that the memory module of the present inventiongreatly enhances the flexibility of using flash memories as it allowsthe flash memory to be used with a number of different interfaces. Theseand other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomemore fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the flashmemory module of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed embodiment of the flash memory module of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the operation of theflash memory module of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a flashmemory module of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary application of theflash memory module of FIG. 4 as adapted to be used with a digitalcamera to download information to a cellular phone for transmission to ahost location; and

FIG. 5B is a simplified flow chart illustrating the operation of thecamera transmission module of FIG. 5A as a digital photograph stored inthe flash memory is transmitted via a cellular telephone to a hostlocation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals referto like parts throughout. FIG. 1 is a block diagram which illustratesthe basic configuration of a flash memory module 100. The flash memorymodule 100 receives data via a bidirectional data bus 102. The data bus102 is connected to a compact flash connector 104 of a type that is wellknown in the art which is, in turn, connected to an internal data bus106. The internal data bus 106 provides the data via interface logic 110to a microcontroller 112. The microprocessor 112 then is capable ofstoring the data in a flash memory 114 in a manner that is well known inthe art. Similarly, the microcontroller 112 can read data from the flashmemory 114 and output the data on the data bus 102 to an external sourcevia the interface logic 110 and the compact flash connector 104. Theoperation of the flash memory module 100 in this sense is substantiallyidentical to the operation of the flash memory modules of the prior art.

However, as shown in FIG. 1, the flash memory module 100 also includes adata bus 120 which interconnects the microcontroller 112 with analternate function interface 122. The alternate function interface 122thereby provides data that is retrieved by the microcontroller 112 fromthe flash memory 114 to an alternate function output 124. Further, thememory module 100 also includes an alternate function code 126 whichprovides information to the microcontroller 112 so that themicrocontroller 112 can implement the alternate function interface 122to thereby be able to transmit data from the flash memory 114 to thealternate function output bus 124.

The alternate function interface 122 can be comprised of any of a numberof interfaces, including GSM modem interfaces, serial I/O, parallel I/O,ISDN interfaces, twisted pair interfaces, fiber interfaces and IRDAinterfaces. Hence, the microcontroller 112 is capable of retrieving datathat is stored in the flash memory 114 in the usual manner and, insteadof outputting this data on the flash data bus 102, the microcontroller112 can route this data to an alternate function interface 122 thatoutputs the data on an output bus that is configured differently thanthe flash interface. When the memory module 100 is included in a smallelectrical device such as a camera, survey equipment, a handheldportable computer, a PDA or the like, the microcontroller 112 can beconfigured to output the data either via the ATA flash interface or viathe alternate interface. Further, the alternate function interface 122can be configurable as a result of the alternate function code 126 beingstored within the flash memory module 100. This greatly enhances theflexibility in interfacing an electronic device incorporating flashmemory modules with external devices as the electronic devices whichincorporate the flash memory module 100 of the preferred embodiment cannow be interfaced with other external devices that do not typicallyinclude an ATA flash interface.

FIG. 2 is a more specific embodiment of a flash memory module 200 thatincorporates a GSM cellular phone interface so that data stored within aflash memory can be transmitted to a remote location via a cellularphone modem. In particular, the memory module 200 includes a PCMCIA/ATAcard 204 which is connected to a data bus 202 and to a microprocessor212 via an internal bus 206. The microprocessor is also connected to oneor more flash memories 214 via the data bus 206 and the microprocessor212 also is associated with a ROM memory 228 and a RAM memory 230. Datathat is to be stored in the flash memory 214 is imported along the bus202 to the PCMCIA/ATA card 204 where it is accessed by themicroprocessor 212 and is stored on a write cycle in the flash memory214 in a well known manner. Similarly, data that is stored in the flashmemories 214 can be accessed by the microprocessor 212 on a read cycleand provided via the PCMCIA card 204 to the data bus 202 in a well knownmanner. The module 200 also includes an error correction circuit 215 anda flash card 213 which perform functions that are well known in the art.The flash memory module 200 also includes a UART 222 that receives datafrom the microprocessor 212 via an output bus 220 that is to betransmitted to an output bus 224 going to an external cellular phone(not shown).

In this embodiment, the PCMCIA/ATA card 204 and microprocessor 212 isnot only capable of transferring data to and from the flash memories214, but it is also capable of receiving configuration instructions froman external source, such as a personal computer, and storing theconfiguration instructions in the RAM 230. Hence, the memory module 200can receive interface instructions that can be stored in the RAM 230 sothat when the microprocessor 212 is outputting data through the UART 222to the output bus 224 using an alternate function interface, theappropriate interface can be enabled.

In one specific example, the microprocessor 212 can receive a GSMcellular phone interface and a telephone number to call which is thenstored in the RAM 230. When the alternate function interface is enabledby the microprocessor 212, preferably in response to some externalsignal, the microprocessor 212 can send the appropriate GSM cellularphone interface via the UART 222 to the output bus along with the datathat is stored within the flash memories 214 that is to be transmittedvia a cellular phone to an external source.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart which illustrates the operation of themicrocontroller 212 in the flash memory module 200 shown in FIG. 2. Thesteps in the flow chart are simply illustrative of the functional stepsperformed by the microcontroller 212, however, a person of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the exact sequence of operation ofthe microcontroller 212 in order to perform the functions described inthe flow chart of FIG. 3 may vary. Referring now to FIG. 3, themicroprocessor 212, from a start state 300, initially determines, indecision state 302, whether the alternate function interface is beingconfigured. Typically, the alternate function interface is downloaded tothe microprocessor 212 via the PCMCIA card 204. In the specific exampleof a GSM cellular phone interface, the interface and the telephonenumber are stored, in state 304, in the RAM 230 after it has beenreceived by the microprocessor 212 from an external source via thePCMCIA card 204.

Subsequently, the microprocessor 212 then determines, in decision state306, whether data is being provided via the bus 202 that is to bewritten to the flash memories 214. In the event that the data is to bestored in the flash memories 214, the microprocessor 212 then storesthis data in the flash memory 214 in state 310 in a manner that is wellknown in the art. Subsequently, the microprocessor 212 then determinesin decision state 312 whether data is being read out of the flashmemories 214. If data is being read out of the flash memories 214, themicroprocessor 212 then determines, in decision state 314, whether thedata is being provided via the ATA flash interface or via thealternative interface. In the event that the data is being provided bythe ATA flash interface, the microprocessor 212 then, in state 316,enables the ATA interface on the PCMCIA/ATA card 204 and provides thedata via the bus 202. In the event that the microprocessor 212determines that the data is being provided by the alternative interface,the microprocessor 212 then retrieves, in state 320, the GSM interfaceand the phone number from the RAM 230 and then enables the UART 222 instate 322 and provides the alternative interface and data to the UARTwhich can then be transmitted to the output bus 224. The microprocessor212 will preferably receive an external signal from the electronicdevice that incorporates the flash memory module 200 as to whichinterface will be providing the data.

It will be appreciated that the flash memory module 200 shown in FIG. 3can be incorporated into a camera and the telephone number and GSM cellphone interface can be downloaded via the PCMCIA card into the memorymodule that is positioned within the camera. Subsequently, the cameracan take a picture which can be stored in the flash memories 214. Themicroprocessor 212 can then be instructed to provide the picture via theUART 222 to an output data bus 224 that is connected to a cellularphone. The data corresponding to the photograph can then be transmittedvia the cellular phone to a remote location. By previously downloadingthe interface and the telephone number into the module, the operation ofthe microcontroller 212 in providing the data via an alternate interfaceis simplified as it simply requires the microcontroller 212 to receive asingle command to induce the microcontroller 212 to retrieve the datacorresponding to the photograph and the appropriate interfaceinformation and then provide this data and information to the output bus224. Hence, the stored data can be easily transmitted to an externalsource using the alternate interface capabilities of the module 200.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a flashmemory module incorporating an alternate interface to allow informationstored within the flash memory to be provided to a recipient device viaan alternate interface. The module 400 includes a controller 412 similarto the microprocessors discussed above. Information from the host device460 is provided via an external bus 402 to an interface 404. Theinformation from the interface 404 is then provided to the controller412 via an internal bus 406. As discussed above, the interface 404 canbe a typical PCMCIA/ATA-type interface that is capable of receivingflash data in and also transferring flash data out. Further, theinterface 404 is also capable of receiving additional information fromthe host or a personal computer (not shown), such as configurationinformation for the alternate interface. The controller 412, whenreceiving flash data from the interface 404 via the internal bus 406,transfers this information to the flash memory 414 via the internal bus406 and this information is stored in the flash memory 414 in a mannerthat is known in the art. Similarly, when the controller 412 isreceiving configuration signals for the alternate interface, thisinformation is passed to a readable, writable memory, such as a RAMmemory 430, via the internal bus 406.

The controller 412 is adapted to download the data stored in the flashmemory 414 via the interface 404 when the module 400 is connected to arecipient device via the interface 404. This operation is performed inthe same manner that flash memory data is downloaded using prior artflash memory modules. Alternatively, the controller 412, in response toa signal from a user input 425, downloads the information in the flashmemory 414 via the alternate interface controller 422.

It will be appreciated that some of the alternate interfaces may requirethat significant data processing be performed on the stored flash dataso as to be able to download the information via the alternateinterface. Consequently, the alternate interface may necessitate aseparate controller, such as a microprocessor, that is capable ofreceiving the data stored in the flash memory 414 and then translatingthis information into the desired interface format. For example, if themodule 400 is to be used with a cellular phone, the flash memory mayhave to be translated into a GSM interface compatible format and, moreparticularly, be specifically adaptable so as to be readable andtransmittable by a particular manufacturer's model of a cellular phone.In one embodiment, the interface controller 422 can translate and builda GSM compatible information packet that is suitable for subsequenttransmission by a cellular phone as will be described in greater detailbelow.

FIG. 5A is a particular example of how the flash module 400 can beadapted for a particular purpose. Specifically, FIG. 5A is a blockdiagram of a digital camera system 500 incorporating a flash module 501that is capable of receiving digital photos from a digital camera andstoring them in a flash memory and then, in response to the usermanipulating a user input device, translating the information into a GSMinterface and providing the information to a cellular phone so that thestored digital photograph can be transmitted to a remote location. Thesystem 500 is adapted so that the user simply has to manipulate the userinput device and the module 501 provides all of the necessaryinformation to the cellular phone to instruct the cellular phone to diala preselected telephone number and then transmit the data stored in theflash memory corresponding to a particular picture to the remotelocation.

Referring specifically to FIG. 5A, the system 500 incorporates a camera503 substantially identical to digital cameras that are presentlyavailable. In general, these types of digital cameras incorporate a CCDcamera 505 that obtains a digital image in response to the usermanipulating a user input device 506. The user input device 506 istypically in the form of a button which operates a mechanical shutterpositioned in a lens in front of the CCD camera. The data captured bythe CCD device 505 is then provided to the camera processor 505 forprocessing in a manner that is known in the art.

Subsequently, the camera processor 507 provides the picture data to theflash module 501 for storage in a flash memory. Specifically, the datais provided to the module 501 via a PCMCIA/ATA interface 504. The datais then received by a multi-function controller 512 via various controldata and address lines. The controller 512 can then store theinformation in one or more flash memories 514 via various controladdress and data lines in a manner that is again known in the art.Subsequently, the multi-function controller 512 can either download theinformation stored in the flash memory 514 via the PCMCIA interface 504or via the GSM interface controller 522. If the photograph is to bedownloaded via the PCMCIA/ATA interface 504, then the multi-functioncontroller 512 downloads this information in a manner that is known inthe art. Generally, the module 501 is typically dismounted from thecamera 503 and loaded into a port on a computer and the computer thenextracts the pictures from the flash memory 514 in the interface 504.

However, if the user manipulates the user input device 525 to indicatethat one or more photographs are to be transmitted via a cellulartelephone, the multi-function controller 512 then recalls previouslystored configuration information from the RAM memory 530 and also theinformation stored in the flash memory and provides this information tothe GSM interface controller 522. The GMS interface controller 522 thenbuilds a data packet to be transmitted via a serial link 560 to acellular telephone 562. The data packet will include a dial command witha telephone number for the cellular telephone to call and also includesthe digital data corresponding to the stored photo after it has beentranslated into a GSM compatible format and, in particular, into a GSMcompatible format that is specific to the particular cell phone 562.

The telephone number and configuration information is preferablypreviously downloaded to the memory 530 when the user initiallyconfigures the module 501. This process is performed by connecting themodule 501 to a computer and downloading an instruction set via theinterface 504 in a manner similar to the process described above inconjunction with FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that the exact interfaceused by different manufacturers of cellular telephones varies so theconfiguration information that is downloaded into the RAM memory 530must be tailored for particular manufacturers of cell phones.

Once the data packet is built, the packet is provided to the cellulartelephone 502 via the serial link 560 and the cellular phone 562 ispreferably adapted to automatically dial a modem 572 at a remotelocation 570 so that the data packet can be transmitted to a computer574. In this application of the ATA/flash module of the presentinvention, photographs can be taken with a digital camera and thentransmitted to a remote location via a cellular telephone by the usersimply manipulating a user input device on the camera.

FIG. 5B is a simplified flow chart which illustrates the process bywhich the multi-function processor 512 receives the digital informationfrom the camera, stores it in the flash memory, and then transmits it tothe remote location via the cellular phone. It will be appreciated by aperson of ordinary skill in the art that the flow chart of FIG. 5B issimply exemplary of the basic processes performed by the module 501 and,for clarity, data verification and transmission verification stepsrelating to this process are not shown.

Referring specifically to FIG. 5B, the process by which photo data fromthe camera is stored and subsequently downloaded will now be described.From a start state 580, the multi-function controller 512 awaits thetransmission of data from the camera processor 507 via the PCMCIA/ATAinterface 504. Upon the multi-function controller 512 determining indecision state 582 that a complete packet of photo data has beentransmitted, the controller 512 then stores, in state 584, the data inthe flash memory 514 in a manner that is known in the art. Subsequently,the controller 512 awaits a signal from the user input device 525indicating that one or more photo data packets are to be downloaded. Theuser input device 525 can be comprised of a switch or some such devicethat the user simply has to manipulate to induce the multi-functioncontroller 512 to initiate the process by which the photo data isprovided to the cellular telephone for transmission to the remotelocation. For clarity, the downloading of the information via thePCMCIA/ATA interface 504 has been omitted from this flow chart, however,it will be appreciated that this process is performed in a manner thatis typical to ATA/Flash modules known in the art.

If the multi-function controller 512 determines, in decision state 586,that photo data stored in the flash memory 514 is to be downloaded viathe cellular telephone 562, the controller 512 then retrieves, in state588, the selected photo data from the flash memory 514. This informationis then transferred, in state 590, to the GSM interface controller 522.Preferably, the multi-function controller 512 is capable of extractingthe photo data directly from the flash memory 514 and then transferringit directly to the GSM interface controller 522. However, in someconfigurations, using existing flash memory module controllers, it maybe necessary for the flash memory to download the stored data via thePCMCIA/ATA interface 504 to the camera processor 507 and then have thecamera processor 507 be configured to send the information back throughthe interface 504 with an appropriate code to indicate to themulti-function controller 512 that the retransmitted data is not to bestored in the flash memory 514 but is to be transmitted directly to theGSM interface controller 522.

Upon receipt of the photo data from the flash memory 514, the GSMinterface controller 522 then builds a GSM transmission packet in state592. As discussed above, the GSM interface controller 522 obtains theGSM interface package configuration information that was previouslystored in the RAM 530. As discussed above in connection with theembodiment described in reference to FIG. 2, configuration informationcan be downloaded via the PCMCIA interface 502 when the module 500 iscoupled to a personal computer. The configuration information willinclude the telephone number that the cellular phone 570 is to beinstructed to call and also instructions and algorithms such that thestored flash memory data can be translated into a format that can betransmitted by the particular manufacturer's brand and model of cellulartelephone.

As the GSM transmission packet has been developed, the GSM transmissionpacket is also output along the serial port to the cellular telephone,in state 594. As discussed above, the GSM transmission packet preferablyincludes a command that is recognizable by the cellular telephone suchthat the cellular telephone automatically dials the number of the modem572 at the remote location and then begins transmission of the datacorresponding to the stored photo data upon the completion of thecommunication link between the cell phone and the modem. It will beappreciated that the modem 572 or the computer 574 may need to performadditional processing on the data received from the cellular telephoneso as to be able to display the digital picture in the proper formal fora user to then use. Once the multi-function controller 512 determines indecision state 596 that the transmission is complete, the multi-functioncontroller 512 then returns to decision state 582 to determine whethernew photo data has been transmitted from the camera.

Hence, the system 500 is capable of obtaining digital images with acamera, storing corresponding data in a flash memory, and thentransmitting data representative of the digital image, via a cellulartelephone, to a remote location in a quick and efficient manner. It willbe appreciated that the foregoing discussion is exemplary of onepossible use of the ATA flash module of the present invention and thatvarious other uses and modifications may be made so as to allow the datastored in flash memory to be transmitted via a plurality of differentinterfaces.

It will be further appreciated from the foregoing discussion that theflash memory module of the embodiment described above is capable oftransmitting data that is stored in a flash memory in a well knownmanner through either an ATA flash interface or through an alternateinterface. This enhances the flexibility of an electronic device whichincorporates the flash memory module of the present invention as thisdevice can then interface with a greater number of other devices. Whilethe functionality of the downloading information out of the flash memorymay be performed by the flash memory controller, a person of ordinaryskill in the art may appreciate that this functionality may also beperformed by additional processors that are associated with theinterface or are mounted in addition to the flash memory controllerwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have shown,described, and pointed out the fundamental novel features of theinvention as applied to this embodiment, it will be understood thatvarious omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the detailof the devices illustrated may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the present invention.Consequently, the scope of the invention should not be limited to theforegoing discussion but should be defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flash memory module comprising: a flash memoryfor storing data; a data bus that provides data to the flash memory; acontroller coupled to the flash memory, wherein the controller retrievesdata stored in the flash memory and formats the data into a firstinterface configuration for subsequent transmission to an externaldevice and wherein the controller in response to an external inputformats the data into an alternative interface configuration forsubsequent transmission to an external device; and a memory devicewherein configuration information is stored that is adapted to be usedby the controller to translate the data stored in the flash memory intothe alternative interface configuration for subsequent transmission tothe external device.
 2. The module of claim 1, further comprising afirst interface device coupled to the controller such that data storedin the flash memory can be selectively downloaded to an external sourcein the first interface format via the first interface device.
 3. Themodule of claim 2, wherein the first interface device comprises aPCMCIA/ATA device and the first interface format comprise a PCMCIA/ATAinterface format.
 4. The module of claim 2, further comprising a secondinterface device coupled to the controller such that data stored in theflash memory can be selectively downloaded to the external source in thesecond interface format via the second interface device.
 5. The moduleof claim 4, wherein the second interface device comprises a UART.
 6. Themodule of claim 1, wherein the second interface format comprises is aGSM interface protocol.